What are the things that deeply trouble us as human beings? The things in life that we cannot control, reversals in relationships, difficult financial situations, poor health, uncertainty, and ultimately death are all great causes for distress and anxiety. We wonder what our earthly future will hold for us. Will we experience good or will evil come our way? Jesus now explains to His disciples that He is about to leave them, and they cannot follow Him. Jesus has warned Peter that he would deny Him, and all the rest would abandon Him. They have given up everything to follow Jesus and have lived in anticipation of God’s kingdom being realized, as an earthly kingdom. This message of Jesus’ departure is shocking and troubling. They are struggling to grasp what Jesus is saying to them. Denial is often our response to unpleasant realities.
Jesus now speaks words of reassurance in their crisis, which was necessary to move their lives forward. This was not just an answer to those handful of followers over two thousand years ago, but Jesus is also addressing the ultimate challenges that we all face, the issues of future uncertainties, and death itself. How can we find the right response to life’s most troubling events? How can we overcome the most dire, intimidating, and overwhelming experiences in our lives? Here in John 14, we will discover the hope and comfort that we find in having a relationship with God.
THE FIRST WISE RESPONSE TO LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES AND UNCERTAINTIES IS PUTTING OUR TRUST IN THE RIGHT PLACE
What are we placing our confidence in? Are we placing our confidence and trust in ourselves and our resources? Are we placing our trust in the people around us? Or are we really trusting in God?
A. It all begins with where we place our trust.
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?’[i]
Jesus gives an imperative, which is a command, in that by obeying by putting our trust in Jesus, He will address our fears. His presence within our soul will calm our troubled state of mind as we turn over our burdens and anxieties to him. Jesus states that as they had learned to trust God, now in the same manner, they were to trust Him. What did Jesus mean by this?
Merrill Tenney explains the significance of this word of challenge.
If Jesus were leaving them, would they not be helpless and friendless in the midst of a hostile city? Terror must have gripped them, and have appeared on their pale faces and in their frightened eyes. Then Jesus gave to them another command: ‘let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.’ …He asked that they would have a personal faith in Him. The words must have shocked them, since He bracketed Himself with God and asked that they believe Him equally with God. …He had the audacity to demand that they make Him an object of faith. He made Himself the key to the question of destiny, and clearly stated that their future depended on his work.[ii]
Jesus needed to depart in order to prepare the way for believers to follow him into a future destiny beyond this earthly life.
B. The analogy of the Jewish wedding.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.[iii]
The image of leaving to prepare a place is filled with significance to a people who understood the Jewish bridal customs of that day. It was customary after the engagement, which was as binding as marriage itself and would require divorce to break off the engagement, that the groom would return to his father’s house to add a room which he would then go and bring his bride to live in. Once that was completed, the groom would then return to receive his bride and bring her back to the Father’s house where the wedding celebration would occur and where they would be living in the future. Jesus is promising His followers that He will return for his bride, the church, the people of God and bring them to the Father’s house to live. Jesus is telling the disciples that like the groom leaving to prepare a place for the bride, that He was preparing the way for that to happen, so that they could live with Him forever.
C. Jesus is the way or means by which we have access to God’s presence.
You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’[iv]
Though we have that bridal custom as an analogy, we must not think that Jesus is going to in some sense prepare something lacking in heaven for us. The preparation that Jesus is speaking about as D. A. Carson points out, is what he is about to do in his death and resurrection that will provide salvation and eternal life for us.
It is not that he arrives on the scene and then begins to prepare the place; rather, in the context of Johannine theology, it is the going itself, via the cross and resurrection, that prepares the place for Jesus’ disciples.[v]
Jesus explains to the disciples that they know the way to the place where He is going, which He will explain is found in trusting Him.
Gerald Borchert explains the significance of this exchange with Thomas.
Thomas had misinterpreted the metaphor to be a statement of taking a journey. Instead, Jesus was talking about the ultimate relationship of life that humans have with God and that has implications for their eternal destiny. When one understands the metaphor from this perspective, “the way” then becomes more akin to “a way of life.” …The law or Torah was not to be understood primarily as a set of rules but as a walk with God.
Unfortunately, ideas of Torah, halakah, law, command, or instruction can all degenerate into keeping a set of rules or failing to relate directly to one who gave the rules or instructions. In such a case Torah and instruction become ends in themselves. “The way” then fades into an act of human effort so that dynamic relationship with God becomes swallowed up in keeping a set of wooden rules. Following rules is hardly what is intended in John as the “way” to the Father.[vi]
This was what had happened to most of the Pharisees. They were now just following a set of rules driven by human effort instead of a dynamic relationship with God. This happens to people who become legalistic, rule-keepers who are not relating to Jesus, as He has revealed himself to us in His word, the Bible. Jesus is now telling the disciples that He is not only the way, but the truth, and the life. There is no other way or path to the Father except the way that Jesus is now preparing for humanity, through his death and resurrection. Gerald Borchert summarizes the exclusivity of the means or way to God.
Any hint at universalism, syncretistic patterns of salvation, or reaching the Father through any other means than Jesus is here completely eliminated.[vii]
D. The need for a growing relationship with God.
If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’ Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’ Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”’?[viii]
Jesus now explains that if they really knew who He was, they would know the Father, because they are one. Yet, Jesus was confident that they would come to that realization that He was God and that they had seen God. It is interesting to see Philip’s response is an expression of the longing of the human heart to know God. Jesus now presents one argument for the basis of that belief.
E. Belief based upon the works of Jesus.
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.[ix]
Here is a powerful understanding as to the nature of Jesus’ ministry. It is the Father, living in Jesus that was doing the work. Even so, it is the Spirit of God, living in us that does that work. We are not the originators of what God is doing in and through our lives.
THE SECOND WISE RESPONSE TO LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES AND UNCERTAINTIES IS ACCESSING THE RIGHT RESOURCES
How do we receive what we need from God? How do we connect with Him? Like every relationship it begins with communication. We need to realize that this ‘asking in prayer whatever we ask’ is conditioned upon bringing glory to God. In other words, the focus needs to shift from solely my wants to what God wants. Is this God’s will? Will it bring glory to God?
A. Believing prayer is the key to seeing God work.
We are now told the kind of works that will flow out of our lives as we are in union with Jesus.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.[x]
One of the verses that often is quoted is found in verse 12 of doing greater works than Jesus. But what does this mean? Does it mean that we will do greater miracles or more miracles over time? Is it an issue of quality or quantity? Maybe the understanding is best described by Colin Kruse.
If the ‘greater works’ of the disciples cannot be understood as quantitatively or qualitatively greater, what did Jesus mean by saying their works would be greater than his? One suggestion is that the greater works of the disciples are the results of their missionary endeavors, bringing many converts into the church. It has also been suggested that what Jesus said about John the Baptist provides a clue: ‘I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he’ (Matt. 11:11). John was the herald of the kingdom that Jesus brought in, but John himself lived, worked and died before people entered it. In terms of privileges, then, the least in the kingdom were greater than John. If we apply this to the differences between Jesus’ works and those of his disciples, we might say that the disciples’ works were greater than his because they had the privilege of testifying by word and deed to the finished work of Christ, and the fuller coming of the kingdom that it ushered in, whereas Jesus’ ministry prior to his death and resurrection only foreshadowed these things.[xi]
B. The relationship is one of loving obedience to God, which leads to God advocating on our behalf.
‘If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.[xii]
Here we have a powerful promise. Jesus, who had advocated for the disciples, protected, guided, and revealed truth to them, was not going to leave them without an advocate. Jesus promised to send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit. This would be even more advantageous to them, and ultimately for us, as God, Himself will come to live within us. Jesus also promises here to come back to them, which He did after the resurrection. This is one of the primary reasons why we can overcome the difficult and intimidating situations in our lives. We have an advocate who will never leave us nor forsake us, but lives within us.
Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.[xiii]
After the crucifixion, Jesus only appeared to those who were believers. In Paul’s case on the road to Damascus, he only saw a great light and heard a voice. The manifestation of God in a human body came to a conclusion after the crucifixion. Earlier, Jesus made the obedience to His word a command, now He frames it as an evidence of our love for Him.
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.’ Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, ‘But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?’ Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’[xiv]
THE FINAL WISE RESPONSE TO LIFE’S DIFFICULTIES AND UNCERTAINTIES IS RECEIVING DELIVERANCE FROM OUR FEARS AND ANXIETIES
When we learn to trust Jesus implicitly and commit our ways to Him in prayer, God will answer by bearing our burdens and seeing us through our troubles. The answer to every trouble and uncertainty is found in God. When the disciples were in danger on the sea of Galilee, they turned to Jesus who calmed the wind and waves.
A. The peace that Jesus promised is unlike what the world offers.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.[xv]
There is only a circumstantial peace in which there is an attempt to remove the trouble, but as we know that is only a temporary fix.
D. A. Carson explains that in that day, there was a world peace that came about through conflict.
“The pax Romana (‘Roman peace’) was won and maintained by a brutal sword; not a few Jews thought the messianic peace would have to be secured by a still mightier sword. Instead, it was secured by an innocent man who suffered and died at the hands of the Romans, of the Jews, and of all of us. And by his death he effected for his own followers peace with God, and therefore ‘the peace of God, which transcends all understanding’ (Phil. 4:7).[xvi]
The answer to our anxieties and troubles is the peace that comes from God dwelling within us. The result of the Holy Spirit is love, joy and peace.
You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.[xvii]
Once again, we are faced with another misunderstood text. Jesus is telling His disciples that He would return to them, but if they truly loved Him, they would be glad that He is leaving them and returning to the Father to once again receive the glory that He had from the beginning. What creates problems for some is that we read the phrase that ‘the Father is greater than Jesus.’ What Jesus is saying, is that in His humanity, He has limited himself and His glory to become a man and become a perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
If Jesus’ disciples truly loved him, they would be glad that he is returning to his Father, for he is returning to the sphere where he belongs, to the glory he had with the Father before the world began (17:5), to the place where the Father is undiminished in glory, unquestionably greater than the Son in his incarnate state.[xviii]
B. Jesus’ prophesies what is about to happen to strengthen their faith.
Knowing how difficult the days ahead are going to be for the disciples, Jesus wants them to know that it is what is supposed to happen, even though what happens seems like the worst possible scenario. How often that is true in our lives, but God is working out His greater plan for ultimate good.
I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave.[xix]
Jesus now explains that the enemy of our souls, the prince of this world, Satan, had no hold over Him. Jesus willingly gave up His life for us. The only hold that He can have over us is because of sin, and Jesus was sinless.
How can we overcome the intimidating and overwhelming situations in our lives? It begins by placing our trust completely in Jesus and as we surrender to Him, He imparts His presence (the Holy Spirit) as an advocate to guide and protect us from all harm. Jesus then gives us peace that protects us from anxiety. This comes to us in answer to prayer and thanksgiving. Let us shift our focus from the storms of life, the problems, and the perplexities with all anxiety and look to Jesus, with gratitude and thanksgiving, knowing that He is in control of our lives.
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[i] John 14:1-2, The New International Version of the Bible, Zondervan, 2011.
[ii] Merrill C. Tenney, John: The Gospel of Belief, (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975), 212-13.
[iii] John 14:3.
[iv] John 14:4-6.
[v] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids, Mi: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991), 489.
[vi] Gerald Borchert, John 12–21 Vol. 25B, (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 107-08.
[vii] Ibid.
[viii] John 14:7-9.
[ix] John 14:10-11.
[x] John 14:12-14.
[xi] Colin G. Kruse, John: A Commentary and Introduction, Vol. 4, (Inter Varsity Press, 2003), 296-97.
[xii] John 14:15-18.
[xiii] John 14:19-20.
[xiv] John 14:21-26.
[xv] John 14:27.
[xvi] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, 506.
[xvii] John 14:28.
[xviii] D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, 508.
[xix] John 14:29-31.
